Stamford Zoning Board Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Stamford Zoning Board held a public hearing and regular meeting on October 7, 2025, at 6:30 PM via Microsoft Teams. The board considered a proposed 20-townhouse development (Woodway Pines), approved a hotel project (Lloyd Hotel), and received a presentation from the Stamford Prevention Council on smoke shop regulations.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (September 29, 2025): The minutes were approved with two corrections: Jerry Bozak's last name was misspelled, and the adjournment time contained an extra digit (corrected to 10:08 PM). The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sue Halpern (Elm Cross Road) questioned whether the 1904 house at 1325 Hope Street had been reviewed by the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC). The applicant later noted that HPAC was notified but chose not to discuss the property as it is not in a historic district.
• Brendan Malloy (19 Woodway Road) expressed concern about removal of tall trees along the property line and the lack of planned replanting behind the proposed building 4, which would reduce privacy. He also worried about impact on adjacent trees during demolition.
• Gregory and Flavia Zach (19 Woodway Road, unit 8) raised multiple concerns: disruption to work-from-home businesses, traffic congestion during a projected two-year construction period, privacy from new balconies overlooking their units, co-owned trees with joint roots, potential property value decreases, and the effect on senior renters on fixed incomes.
• Dane Carver (19 Woodway Road, unit 7) worried about concrete dust and silicosis risk during demolition, and requested debris netting and temporary office space for his wife who works from home.
• Barbara Rosenberg (19 Woodway Road, unit 10) questioned the density, parking adequacy, asbestos in the old house, and tree removal. She asked how many people would live in the units and whether the project had already been approved.

Discussion Items

• Application 225-15 – Woodway Pines LLC (9 and 15 Woodway Road, 0, 1321, 1325 Hope Street): Applicant attorney Joseph Capalbo presented plans to consolidate five parcels into one and construct 20 townhouse-style units (three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath) in three buildings on 1.357 acres (RM1 zone). A special permit was sought for a density bonus of 4.24 units under Section 5EE8, bringing total units to 20, with two on-site BMR (below-market-rate) units. The Planning Board had recommended approval. Key discussion points included:

  • Sidewalk improvement along the gas station property: The applicant objected to a condition requiring sidewalk work on adjacent property they do not own, citing Section 12K4B of zoning regulations. A fee-in-lieu option was noted.
  • Street tree placement: Two trees at the driveway entrance were outside the required 10-foot streetscape strip; the applicant agreed to verify distance and potentially move them or seek a board modification.
  • Landscaping changes: The board requested a six-foot vinyl fence (instead of a 3.5-foot picket) around the gas station, plus arborvitae screening. Native plants were required; the landscape architect agreed to replace non-native species (e.g., magnolia) unless allowed by the tree manual.
  • Parking and traffic: 45 spaces provided (44 required); traffic study found no adverse impact. The applicant agreed to request a waiver of parking management and transportation demand management plans.
  • BMR calculation: 2 units based on base density of 15.37 units (rounded up). The board asked for an explanation of why existing on-site homes are not considered market-rate affordable.
  • Screening for buildings 4 and 5: Neighbors requested taller plantings; applicant agreed to meet with them and potentially revise plans.
  • The application was continued to October 20, 2025, for updated plans.

• Application 225-30 – RMS Hotel 1 LLC (909 Washington Boulevard, Lloyd Hotel): Conditions were reviewed and approved. The hotel will have an FAR of 6, reduced parking (0.5 spaces per guest room), valet parking (71 valet spaces plus 2 front spaces), a transportation demand management plan, bicycle parking (15 Class A, 8 Class B), and a street tree fee-in-lieu of $15,862. The motion passed 4-0.

• Presentation by Stamford Prevention Council (SPC): Ingrid Gillespie and Daniela Arias outlined efforts to regulate smoke shops. Since July 2023, zoning redefined smoke shops as retail with >10% tobacco products, requiring a special permit. No new smoke shops have been approved since. The SPC advocated for a numerical cap on smoke shops (currently absent) and highlighted the density of alcohol retailers (package stores) as a related concern. They noted that underage access to cannabis and vapes comes primarily from smoke shops, not licensed dispensaries. Board members discussed legal mechanisms for a cap and thanked the presenters.

Key Outcomes

• Application 225-15 (Woodway Pines): Continued to October 20, 2025, for revised plans including landscaping changes, native plant list, sidewalk/fence details, affordability plan, and clarification on market-rate affordability.
• Minutes of September 29, 2025: Approved as amended.
• Application 225-30 (Lloyd Hotel): Approved with conditions (4-0).
• New Business: Presentation from SPC received; no immediate action taken.